Smart Office Tech and the Changing Workspace

Smarter technology, especially the interconnected world of the “Internet of Things”, is rapidly changing the way we work, generally for the better. And it should. The amount of time we spend in the office on a daily basis – way beyond the traditional 9-5 – means that the office must adapt to meet our changing needs and demands.

How will these technologies impact businesses?

For one, they could make the office and business more efficient.As CIO reports, sensors in offices “could track what conference rooms are used the most and let management know whether it may be more productive to use a less used room for another function.”

Smart office technologies pose security vulnerabilities — they can be hacked like other IoT devices — but they can also enhance security.

For example, smart locks that require encrypted keys via smartphone apps to unlock could also improve the physical security of offices, the article notes. “Furthermore, a manager can revoke access to particular phones at will,” the CIO report says. “For example, this could keep a recently fired employee out of the workplace immediately, in contrast to physical keys where the employee could easily make a copy.”

The devices and sensors that collect data on workers and how the office is used can also be analyzed and delivered back to employees, the article adds. “Smart devices can improve offices in many ways from security to regulating lights, but the big change will come in communication,” CIO notes. “Businesses can collect data, employees can more readily communicate with their employers, and the result is a wealth of knowledge which will improve efficiency.”